Re: What is hay selling for in your area?.

Posted by old fashioned farmer on June 01, 2006 at 18:10:43 from (4.131.54.220):

In Reply to: What is hay selling for in your area?. posted by Jonfarmer on June 01, 2006 at 08:07:10:

Howdy,
I've been baling and selling a portion of the hay raised on our farm for the past 4 years now. Most of that was alfalfa and all of it was done in small square bales. We have a problem around our area with discount shoppers. There are a few horse people that will pay good money but they are already established with farmers that they know and have dealt with.

I have been trying to get steady customers and have a few but quality and time are the two big strikes I've had. Living in the hay-killing capital of the U.S. (So. Ohio) I have to fight weather like a terrorist. Of course, blame lands on me too since the past four years we've tried to run hay with just a sickle mower and no conditioning. I'm hopin to change that this year if I can convince dad to allow some barn space for a 1209 JD that I'm planning on buying at our dealership. I also work till 5pm thru the week and drive a good 45 min to get home. Pair that with only havin dad and mom to help get it in, we've struggled to get really good hay in.

I've had some awfully good crops and then have people scoff at you when you ask 3.00 a bale. Sometimes they even turn away at 2.50. There have been times when my hay should have brought 4-4.50 a bale but no one would buy it. Matter of fact, I still have 166 bales of really nice straw that went from 3.00 down to 2.50 and still no takers. Advertised it at peak buying times for livestock and landscaping and just had no demand.

It's a crazy business and I'm glad I don't do it for a living. Heck, my own sister turned down my hay and went to my neighbor who does a lousy job of baling hay because mine was "too high". She came back after findin out my warning of "you'll be sorry" was a true one. Horses didn't touch the other guy's stuff. ha ha. God bless and have fun.

p.s. anyone know of any good 336, 24T, or 214T balers for 1500 or less in OH or KY?

--old fashioned farmer

Replies:

Add a Reply Name: E-Mail: Subject: Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]